Top critical review

Good reference on depression and bipolar disorder. The author is skeptical about the claims of cognitive therapy and believes depression is best treated with medication. He believes the cause is strictly biological and not psychological and emphasizes that there is no shame in acknowledging these illnesses. Unlike most experts, however, he is slightly more open to unconventional treatments like St. John's Wort and magnetic cranial therapy. And it seems to be the conventional wisdom these days that electroconvulsive treatment is highly effective and is not as scary as it sounds. The author is a social worker and not a psychiatrist, but he seems to have a good handle on depression and mood disorders in general. But some of his ideas do not accord with what I have read in other books, and I am by now aware that there are competing theories on how to treat mental illness. This book is a good one, but is one of many.

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Good reference on depression and bipolar disorder. The author is skeptical about the claims of cognitive therapy and believes depression is best treated with medication. He believes the cause is strictly biological and not psychological and emphasizes that there is no shame in acknowledging these illnesses. Unlike most experts, however, he is slightly more open to unconventional treatments like St. John's Wort and magnetic cranial therapy. And it seems to be the conventional wisdom these days that electroconvulsive treatment is highly effective and is not as scary as it sounds. The author is a social worker and not a psychiatrist, but he seems to have a good handle on depression and mood disorders in general. But some of his ideas do not accord with what I have read in other books, and I am by now aware that there are competing theories on how to treat mental illness. This book is a good one, but is one of many.

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I have lived with the diagnosis of depression for five years, but not until a recent major depressive episode hit did I seriously start looking for books to help me understand what was going on. I am so thrilled I found this book first. From reading this book, I have a much deeper understanding of the biological origins of my disorder, as well as the symptoms to watch out for. I especially appreciate the attention Dr. Quinn gives to "atypical" symptoms and bi-polar disorders; I suspect I had been depressed for years, but because my symptoms don't fit the usual criteria, it went unrecognized for far too long.Dr. Quinn also is to be commended for striking the right balance between helping people with mood disorders and their families understand that their symptoms are not their fault and that they are not "weak" for not being able to "snap out of it," while still explaining concrete steps patients and their families can take to alleviate symptoms and stay well as best they can. It is hard for most people who have never experienced depression how difficult it is to convince yourself that you are a worthy, competent person, that people love and care about you, that the world is a good place to be in, when the illness is at its worst, and all you can see is the dark pit of despair. Dr. Quinn gives people in such states real hope; rather than spouting out meaningless phrases of "you're an okay person" or "people love you" when people who are seriously depressed CANNOT believe it, he explains how medicine, therapy, and alternative treatments can help them get out of that pit so they CAN believe they are worthy people deserving of love.While I am a "traditionalist" in my medical thinking, and I have no problem with taking pills to help my symptoms improve, I was glad to see that Dr. Quinn gave plenty of space to alternative treatments, and did so without either touting them as cure-alls or cutting them down. In fact, some of the suggestions in the alternative treatment section are helpful even for those who are comfortable taking medications for their mood disorders.This book should be required reading, not just for those who have a mood disorder, but by their families and friends. It will help families and friends understand what is going on with their loved ones, what is and what is not under their loved ones' control, and signs they can look for when their loved ones need help.

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Finally, a book that deals with depression as the serious biologically based health problem that it is without all the moralizing and "just snap out of it" ignorance found in so many popular books on the subject. Contains an excellent critique of the Cognative Therapy theory which insists that you can think your way out of a serious depressive illness. Includes a tremendous amount of up to the minute scientific information on depression, its causes and treatmenst, and what to do if you or someone you love is in danger of suicide. One of the best books I have read on the subject.

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I strongly, strongly recommend this book to people who have concerns or questions about depression. This book begins by explaining the difference between sadness and a depressive illness. It explains what symptoms are part of "normal" grief or sadness as opposed to symptoms that are part of the physical illness of depression. The book then explains that depression is not a mental illness, but a physical illness that can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. It takes the reader through the difference treatment approaches and evaluates each approach. It also addresses the fact that most people hate the idea of taking medication and addresses those concerns. I found the writing style very honest and informative. Best of all, at no point is this book touchy-feely. I never got the sense that someone was patting me on the head, saying "it's going to be ok" or giving me "meaningful quotes for the day".One thing I would like to make clear is that the book is directed only to people suffering from depressive episodes. If you don't know if you are suffering from grief or depression, then it will be useful. But if you are trying to deal with grief, I would look for grief counseling books first and then come back to this one if the grief counseling books don't help you.

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I am the webowner of Bipolar Disorder Today and I learned a great deal from this book. It includes up to date information on unipolar depression *and* bipolar disorder - treatment, psychotherapy, medication, and discusses these disorders in detail.I recommend this book not only for consumers but for families and clinicians as well.